Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Darynda Jones to HJ!
Hi Darynda and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, A Hard Day for a Hangover!
Thank you! I’m so happy to be here!
To start off, can you please tell us a little bit about this book?:
Sure! This is the third in the Sunshine Vicram trilogy about a detective being summoned back to her small hometown to be the new sheriff. An odd thing since she never ran for sheriff. She is finding the job much more dangerous than she ever dreamed possible. She grew up in the small tourist town of Del Sol and certainly didn’t remember it being such a hotbed of criminal activity. Throw her former crush into the mix and the term ‘hotbed’ takes on a whole new meaning. Now if she can just keep her wits about her long enough to solve the latest conundrum Del Sol has decided to throw at her.
Please share your favorite lines or quote(s) from this book:
Normally, Sheriff Sunshine Vicram would’ve been alarmed at the sight of a knitting needle sticking out of a guy’s neck. At the very least, she would’ve been concerned for the horrified man’s well-being. Yet, there she stood. Unmoved. Unshaken. Unstirred. Much like the forgotten bottle of dirty martini mix in the back of her cabinet. At the tender age of early-thirty-something, Sun realized she had seen it all. The world held no more surprises. No more magic. It just was.
What inspired this book?
Well, I do watch the ID channel a lot. So there’s that. I also love second-chance romances, and this is definitely one of those.
How did you ‘get to know’ your main characters? Did they ever surprise you?
I feel like my characters always hold a little back, even from me, and save those little tidbits for just the right moment. I am a die-hard plotter, but I still get surprised sometimes. You think you know a girl…
What was your favorite scene to write?
The climax. I love how this book came together and how the danger, while foreshadowed, creeps up on the reader and strikes when she least expects it.
What was the most difficult scene to write?
The climax. While I had a blast weaving all the pieces together, I love my characters. I don’t think my brain knows they’re not real, and putting them in that kind of danger is sometimes heartbreaking. But I’m a firm believer in torturing your characters. The payoff makes it all worthwhile.
Would you say this book showcases your writing style or is it a departure for you?
It definitely does. I’ve learned what my readers expect from me and I try to “stay in my lane.” LOL. They want mystery, romance, and, of course, comedy. This has all three along with characters I hope you’ll love as much as I do.
What do you want people to take away from reading this book?
I write for entertainment. I’m not out to preach an agenda. All I want people to get from this is a few hours of fun and, hopefully, a lingering sense of happiness.
What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?
I’m still writing the Betwixt and Between series. Book four just came out and five will be out soon. I’m also continuing my Charley Davidson series with novellas from 1001 Dark Nights, and I’ll have a new trilogy from St. Martin’s coming out in the next year or so. I’m really excited about it!
Thanks for blogging at HJ!
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Excerpt from A Hard Day for a Hangover:
With her emergency lights on, Salazar had parked and barricaded the road down to one lane. Thankfully, this wasn’t a busy highway. Mostly locals with an occasional tourist or hunter. But Salazar knew enough not to park on the dirt pull-off which would hopefully be teeming with evidence.
What surprised Sun most about the scene, however, was the fact that Levi’s truck was parked on the other side of the pull-off, hugging the face of the mountain as much as possible. Salazar had cordoned off his pickup as though he were a part of the first response team, and for some bizarre reason, that warmed Sun’s heart. Not that he didn’t deserve it. He’d helped with several cases. He’d saved her life. He’d earned the right to be cordoned.
Sun pulled in behind Salazar and turned on her emergency lights. Anyone coming around the mountain should have enough time to slow down, provided they weren’t driving fast enough to break the sound barrier. Rojas could take the other end of the roadblock when he got there to keep traffic flowing.
She looked up and saw Levi grabbing some gear out of the back of his truck.
Quincy put a hand on her arm to stay her before she could get out, his expression serious when he asked, “Can I arrest him now?”
“No.”
She got out and started to close her door when she heard him whisper, “I never get to have any fun.”
“Hey, boss,” Salazar said as she motioned for a motorist to go around.
“Hey, Lieutenant. What do we have?”
“Essary is down there about a hundred feet.” She gestured toward the guardrail, then pointed to the dirt near it. “There are some tire tracks there. And a pretty good footprint there. It looks like someone pulled over and threw the victim over the side of the guardrail after the rain.”
“Is that blood?”
Salazar nodded. “Looks like it. I’ve already called for a forensics team.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
Quincy knelt down to survey the area from a different angle. “There’s some hair and possible fibers underneath that rail there.” He gestured toward the possible evidence, then stood.
Salazar bent at the waist for a better view. “You’re right. I’ll point that out to forensics when they get here.”
Sun nodded and watched as nonchalantly as possible, doing everything in her power to slow her heart rate when Levi walked up to them, his smooth gait that of a predator. Sadly, she didn’t do nonchalant well. She was much more of a chalant girl.
“How was my cruiser?” Quincy asked him, a sharp edge to his voice.
The smirk that overtook Levi’s features caused Sun’s stomach to clench. “Drives great. Thanks for asking.”
Quincy stepped closer to him but Levi simply graced him with a bored expression. While their lofty heights were almost a perfect match, Quincy was bigger than Levi. His arms more muscular. His shoulders ever-so-slightly wider.
But Levi’s lean frame suited him. He was strong, wiry, and fast. His whiskey-colored irises glistened with humor, but Sun could see the lines of fatigue and worry etched into his handsome face. At least two days’ worth of stubble framed a mouth she’d been in love with since childhood. Though still clearly visible, the bruise he’d received a few days prior, along with a subconjunctival hemorrhage in his left eye, was finally beginning to fade. Hopefully he’d learned a valuable lesson about trying to stop a truck with his body. Those altercations never ended well.
“Why don’t you get the gear?” Sun said to Quince. He wouldn’t really start anything, but she figured she’d give him an excuse to back down either way.
After another testosterone-infused moment of dick measuring, Quincy walked to the back of the cruiser to grab their climbing gear.
“How’d you beat us here?” she asked Levi.
He carried climbing gear like he was going to join them. “I was on my way to Taos when I heard the call.” He gestured north as evidence, but Sun doubted his explanation. One could certainly get to Taos, New Mexico, from this road, but it would take at least an hour longer than the traditional route. Why come this way?
Levi had a knack for disappearing. For falling off the grid. And once he did, finding him was damn near impossible. If Levi Ravinder didn’t want to be found, he wouldn’t be found. Simple as that.
Sun had always wondered where he went. Was his hideout nearby? Did he have a cabin up here somewhere?
She made a mental note to check out all the homesteads in the area before turning back to him. “And you thought you’d tag along?” she asked as she grabbed an emergency backpack out of her cruiser.
The stoic look he gave her revealed nothing. He only tightened his grip on the rope he had slung over his shoulder. The wide shoulder with an impossibly long arm attached to it, all muscle and sinew. The long-sleeved shirt he wore could not disguise the pristine physique of his arms.
He pressed his mouth together as though waiting for a follow-up. She wanted nothing more than to throw in the towel and just ask him. Was he mad at her for trying to put him into protective custody? Was he upset that his own uncle was trying to kill him? Which, who wouldn’t be? Or was it simpler than that? Was he mad about being a father? Maybe he was one of those men who vowed never to have kids, and Sun had thrown a wrench into those plans. If so, sucked to be him. It took two to make a baby. He should’ve thought about that before seducing her. At least, she assumed that’s what happened. The details of that night were still a little sketchy. Either way, now was not the time to bring it up. Not when a woman’s life hung in the balance.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Book Info:
Some people greet the day with open arms. Sheriff Sunshine Vicram would rather give it a hearty shove and get back into bed, because there’s just too much going on right now. There’s a series of women going missing, and Sunny feels powerless to stop it. There’s her persistent and awesomely-rebellious daughter Auri, who’s out to singlehandedly become Del Sol’s youngest and fiercest investigator. And then there’s drama with Levi Ravinder—the guy she’s loved and lusted after for years. The guy who might just be her one and only. The guy who comes from a family of disingenuous vipers looking to oust him—and Sunshine—for good.
Like we said, the new day can take a hike.
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Meet the Author:
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA®, a Golden Heart®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and her books have been translated into 17 languages. As a born storyteller, she grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by. Darynda lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.
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Jeanna Massman
I love mysteries by JA Jance. Thanks for the giveaway.
EC
Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series.
Mary Preston
I’m enjoying the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith.
debby236
I cannot remember names but I enjoy any mystery that challenges me to think.
Lori R
I have enjoyed Tonya Kappes’ books.
Mo Heedles
Kate Shugak series by Dana Stabenow. Alaska mysteries with an awesome woman protagonist
Shannon Capelle
The In Death series by JD Robb
Janine
Some of my favorite mysteries are by Leslie Marshman
Pamela Conway
I have been reading Gena Showalter’s new series with Jane Ladling. Love the series!!
Audrey Stewart
I love the Clint Wolf Mystery Series by BJ Bourg.
Susan
I don’t really have any favorites but I do enjoy when it has you stumped and you get a surprise!
Texas Book Lover
Anything Kendra Leigh or Melinda Elliot write!
Amy R
What are some of your favorite mysteries? Lily Bard and Harper Connelly Mysteries by Charlaine Harris
Pennie Morgan
I will read anything by Allison Brennan or Laura Griffin but right now I am working my way through the Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo and loving it. BTY this Sunshine Vickram series has been one of my favs and I have already read and listened to the third book. Hope it continues!!!!!!
Latifa Morrisette
Anything by Allison Brennan and Laura Griffin
lorih824
I don’t know that I have a favorite but as a young lady I loved the Nancy Drew mysteries.
SusieQ
The Lexi Graves series.
Colleen C.
Catherine Coulter, Laura Griffin, Adrienne Giordano
Daniel M
can’t think of any at the moment
Betul
Honestly, I don’t read a lot of mysteries. However, Darynda is one of my favorite authors so I read the Sunshine Vicram trilogy and LOVED IT!
Joy Isley
I grew up reading Agatha Christie mysteries. She is still my favorite.
Latesha B.
No particular favorite. As long as the mystery is good and hold my attention, I love it.
jovialvampyre
I love this series a fluff mysteries by Nancy Atherton – The Aunt Dimity series. They cute and quick easy reads.
Dianne Casey
Tonya Kappes’ books are always great reads. I have a lot of favorite series, one is The Candy Coated Mysteries by Nancy Coco.
Mary C
One favorite is William Kent Krueger’s Cork O’Connor series.
Bonnie
Some of my favorites are Agatha Christie, J.D. Robb (In Death series), Karen White (Tradd Street series), and Charlaine Harris (Aurora Teagarden series).
Tammy H
I enjoy all of your books and I like Maria Geraci’s cozy mysteries.
Lori Byrd
Laura Bradford’s books.
Diana Hardt
I don’t have any favorites. It just depends on the story.
Kathy
classics like Agatha Christie & Arthur Conan Doyle
Susan S.
I love Kathi Daley mysteries.
Patricia B.
I enjoyed the books by Tony Hillerman.
Nicole (Nicky) Ortiz
I’m not good with genres but I think Fearless by Tia Louise might be considered one
Thanks for the chance!
Janie McGaugh
I don’t generally read mysteries, but I’ve been reading this series, because I love Darynda’s writing style.
bn100
no fav
KV
I like Agatha Raisin mysteries.
Tina R
The In Death series by J.D. Robb, the FBI series by Catherine Coulter, and the Slye Team Black Ops series by Dianna Love.
Lisa
I love nancy Drew.
Alan
I would say Sherlock Holmes
Summer
I love Colin Cotterill’s books, especially his Siri Paiboun series.
Lilah Chavez
Definitely Nancy Drew! Bc duh that’s one of the first series I’ve ever read growing up,
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Agatha Christie
Terrill R.
Well, I loved this series!! Two of my favorite mystery series’ are the Sebastian St. Cyr Historical mysteries by C.S. Harris and The Rev. Claire Fergusson & Russ Van Alton contemporary mystery series.